Letter to Minister Belliveau regarding the public consultation stage in the shaping of a Sustainable Coastal Development Strategy for Nova Scotia. May 3, 2010:
Coalition members are disappointed by the limited nature of the public consultation, and by the indication that there will not be an opportunity for public feedback on the draft strategy itself, only on the State of Nova Scotia’s Coast technical report. In our view, there are many issues to consider beyond the 7 issues identified for consultation, such as why aquaculture is outside the coastal strategy frame and how the strategy can address even pre-selected issues, such as working waterfronts and water quality, without factoring in this increasingly important and sometimes controversial coastal industry. More..
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Coastal Coalition urges Nova Scotia to speak up for the Coast
The Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Agriculture’s Provincial Oceans Network has announced a schedule for public consultations to seek Nova Scotia’s’ vision for the future of their coasts.
The complete schedule for the PON’s public consultations is as follows:
- Tuesday, May 4th at the Bridgewater Curling Club, 90 Dominion Street, between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm
- Wednesday, May 5th in Yarmouth at the Rodd Grand Hotel, 415 Main Street, between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm.
- May 11 - Digby
- May 12 - Wolfville
- May 18 - Truro
- May 19 - Antigonish
- May 20 - Sydney
- May 26 - HRM (Dartmouth)
Venues and times are available here. In addition to these public consultations, the PON plans targeted private meetings with special interests, and the public is invited to give input via the Department’s website, or via written submission.
The Coastal Coalition of Nova Scotia has recommended a clear focus on the following:
- a Coastal Act by 2012 - binding legislation and regulations to protect our natural shoreline, its features and processes
- a Coastal Policy - a road map to enable ecological, social, and economic sustainability for our coastal communities;
- A “land use bottom line” - minimum land use planning standards for zoning and setbacks in the coastal zone to which all players must adhere – municipalities, businesses, developers, community groups, private landowners;
- Coastal Governance Reform - Clarify who does what within provincial and municipal jurisdictions to achieve a coordinated cost-effective coastal governance structure with clear roles and responsibilities for all levels of government, aboriginal people, non-governmental organizations, citizens, and communities.
The full text of our press release is available here.
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The Coastal Coalition fo Nova Scotia (CCNS) is composed of a group of individual organizations, each with its own mission, sharing common concern
for the future of Nova Scotia's coastal lands. For more information on becoming a member, click here.
Mission: The Coastal Coalition is dedicated to the preservation, restoration and sustainable use of the physical, biological and cultural heritage
of Nova Scotia's coastal ecosystems. For more information on the history of CCNS, click here.
Goals:
1) Promote the development of ecosystem based integrated coastal zone planning and management
2) Monitor the activities of government departments, the private sector, organizations and individuals, that may have an impact (positive or
negative) on coastal ecosystems
3) Challenge activities that may threaten sensitive natural areas, coastal wildlife and plant habitat, breeding grounds, or significant cultural artifacts
4) Seek commitment from governing bodies to follow a transparent process in decision making, including ease of access to information and full public consultation
5) Protect traditional non-destructive public rights to access and coastal use
6) Distribute information, position papers, and educational materials developed by members or by the coalition itself
7) Support other individuals and groups that engage in activities that reinforce our mission.
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